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Harrisburg Senators drop first game of doubleheader to New Britain Rock Cats

Harrisburg Senators catcher Brian Jeroloman

FILE PHOTO: Harrisburg Senators catcher Brian Jeroloman hit a two-run home run in a 6-3 loss to New Britain Thursday night in the first game of a doubleheader. Paul Chaplin | pchaplin@pennlive.com
(PAUL CHAPLIN)

A three-run home run by Reynaldo Rodriguez gave New Britain (7-16) a quick lead and launched a three-homer night as Harrisburg's two-game winning streak ended.

Mike Kvasnicka added a solo homer to left in the second off Harrisburg starter Matt Purke, who dropped to 0-5. Purke went four innings, allowing five hits, striking out three and walking three.

Kennys Vargas hit a two-run homer to right in the fifth off reliever Paolo Espino to stretch New Britain's lead to 6-0. Three tied a season high for home runs surrendered in a game by Harrisburg.

Harrisburg (6-17) struck for all of its runs in the fifth, with Brian Jeroloman delivering a two-run homer to right after Ricky Hague had doubled home Caleb Ramsey. It was Jeroloman's first homer of the season.

New Britain starter Taylor Rogers (1-3) went six innings to earn his first win of the season. He struck out five, walked none and allowed five hits.

TURNING POINT

With two outs in the first, Rodriguez lined a shot off the left field foul pole with Kenny Wilson and Vargas on base to give the Rock Cats a lead they'd never lose.

Wilson had lined a double to left with one out for the first hit of the game. Vargas reached base with a two-out walk.

NOTEBOOK

OF Destin Hood was promoted from Harrisburg to Syracuse.

OF Randolph Oduber was promoted to Harrisburg from Potomac, where he had a .247 batting average in 20 games. He made his 2014 Harrisburg debut.

Harrisburg has allowed foes to score in the first inning in 17 of 23 games.

Hershey Bears forward Ryan Stoa, who threw one of the ceremonial first pitches before the game, said he is friends with New Britain second baseman Nate Hanson, a fellow University of Minnesota alumni.